German prosecutors seek extradition to Spain of Carles Puigdemont

Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader, can only be extradited if a court rules that the rebellion charges against him would also be punishable under German lawSALVATORE DI NOLFI/EPA

German prosecutors have asked a court to extradite the former Catalan president who faces charges of rebellion in Spain over a campaign for independence.

Carles Puigdemont, 55, has been held in a prison in the northern German town of Neumuenster for just over a week after he was arrested near the border on March 25. Prosecutors in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein said in a statement that Mr Puigdemont had masterminded an illegal vote that was unconstitutional and that he was warned that such a ballot was likely to spark violent clashes.

“After intensive analysis [German] prosecutors have reached the conclusion that this is a valid extradition request, that an orderly extradition procedure is to be expected and that flight risk offers ground for detention,”…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.